Fire management and fire use in the United States a short history

Abstract

The management and control of wildland fires has been a major issue for the land management agencies in the United States during the past century. Today we recognize that fires continue to be a significant problem in many portions of the nation, but we understand that the underlying problem is not the fires, but the build-up of fuel that causes the fires to burn more severely. We are embarking on a program that emphasizes an integrated approach of vegetative management, the use of prescribed fire, and yet continues to provide protection to communities, watersheds, and habitats from the destructive effects of wildland fires. I will provide an overview of the evolution of fire management actions in the United States, some thoughts on where we might be headed in the future, and some lessons based on our experiences in the United States that may be useful in other countries.